Funeral services for Helen Jo Callaway Evans Martin have been changed to 2 PM on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with Bill Slaymaker officiating. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 4:19 AM on December 26, 2012 in Austin, TX.
Helen was born March 21, 1927 in Foard, TX to Doyle and Minnie Bell Callaway. She attended school at Crowell, TX, graduating in 1944. She moved to Brownwood to attend Howard Payne College. She met and married Henry Luther Evans, Jr. They were married May 17, 1947. Two children were born to this union. She was a very devoted wife and mother.
Henry developed lung/brain cancer and passed away in 1972, leaving Helen with a 16-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. She went back to work at Brown County Abstract to support her family. There she met Herbert Lee Martin, Sr. and became his wife on December 8, 1972. Herbert brought 3 sons and one daughter into the family and she loved them all and devoted her life to being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was a very active member at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church until failing health prevented. She sang choir, taught Sunday School, taught GA’s, participated in WMU and helped with youth.
She and Herbert had rental property in Brownwood for many years. She wanted those houses nice enough to live in herself and she didn’t stop there. Every house had a new broom and mop and everyone got a Christmas basket of fruits and nuts. She was a mentor to those young mothers.
She is survived by her daughter, Betty, and her husband, Bill Young, of Austin, and their children, Katy & Brady; her son, Joe Evans, & wife, Donna, of Bangs, and his daughters, Jessica Gonzalez and Shelley Garrett; Herbert’s sons, Roneal Martin and wife, Terri, of Palm City, FL; Herbie Martin and wife Ima, of Early; Rick Martin and wife, Sherrie, of Brownwood; and daughter, Sandra Correll, of Austin. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, one sister, Rita Johnson, of Wichita Falls, TX and a host of nieces and nephews.